Day 16: South Dakota

Badlands

From Nebraska I headed North on a state Highway headed for South Dakota, Two lane road, no traffic, nice countryside, mostly ranches with small groups of cattle scattered about, water didn’t seem to be a problem and a few hayfields thrown in.  Whenever I saw a group of trees there was usually a house or two and a barn.  Crossing over to South Dakota the landscape got stark, more mobile homes, more casinos, maybe because it was close to the Pine Ridge reservation. I did see a huge sunflower field off of I-90.

My first destination was Badlands National Park.  Driving in, I thought where could this be?  I don’t see anything from horizon to horizon.  Just 5 miles south of I-90, the park is right there.  Another national park that lives up to its billing, really spectacular.  There is a 30-mile drive, but I talked to a Park Service guide and he suggested, if I had the time, I should continue on a dirt road for another 25 miles and see more wildlife.  I took the dirt road and was immediately happy because all the RV’s took the paved road back to 1-90, leaving the dirt road to myself.  I was also rewarded with seeing a heard of Buffalo.

Next stop was Mt. Rushmore, busy but what I expected, by chance I found a 2-mile hike through the woods that got me closer to the Presidents and away from the crowd. I also stopped in to see the Crazy Horse monument, more out of an obligation to fund the Native American project, it’s still a work in process, and its more gift shop and add-on tours, but still worth the trip.

I was shocked to see how busy it is here. I haven’t seen so many people in one place on this trip. All 3 sites were packed, and hotel, bar and restaurant all said they are surprised how many people are here after Labor Day.  Tons of RV’s and a lot of kids, (I guess home schooling?)  Like North Conway, there is a lot of businesses that can’t find help here, it’s unlike any other year.  I even overheard people walking the other way say they were from Boston – imagine that.

Song of the Day: Badlands – Bruce Springsteen

Podcast: On Something. Federal vs State Law, story about a Chilean women banned from the US for 5 years because she legally bought an edible in Colorado

Book on Tape:  Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

Beer of the Day:  Smoke Jumper Stout, Firehouse Brewing

Total Miles 425